Picture Perfect Autumn

John Markowski's New Jersey garden (zone 6b) is the perfect picture of autumn!

"We are just about at autumn peak right now. On a side note, there is a proposed 3ft in diameter pipeline proposed to come directly through my backyard within the next year or so and we are in the fight of our life to try and fight it. Because of that the garden is in jeopardy so I'm doing my best to enjoy the heck out of it this fall. My blog has all the details as it has supplanted gardening as my new hobby (ha)."

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Quite stunning, but what a huge job to manage all those grasses. Most grasses turned out to be unmanageable for me, as I don't run a chain saw. Good luck with the pipeline threat. Nelson County, VA is also fighting a gas pipeline, slated to run rampant. Dominion Power is a powerful force, and is suing any resident resisting the process.

Diane, I have to admit that I have transitioned away from some of the miscanthus varieties as much as I love them and replaced them with different kinds of switch grasses. The switch grasses are much easier to cut down in the spring...scissors or an old fashioned shear do the trick fairly easily. Their stalks and leaves don't seem as intimidating for one person to handle alone.

John, without a doubt, your commitment to ornamental grasses have given your property a magical quality that is at its peak this time of year. When I think of even one blade of them being destroyed by a private, for profit pipeline, I feel a defiant stance take over me and my inner child shouts, "No, no, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin." I know it is argued that we all benefit from progress but I also know that if it was my garden that was under assault, I couldn't accept it without a fight. Good luck!

Hey John, what's the story on the tree you planted that we can see on the shot that includes the deck. It must be special as you already have a background of trees for your beautiful grasses. Great fall color. If you have to do another type of gardening after a move, what would it be? A shady retreat? A pond? A rock garden?

John has shared his garden with us many times on GPoD. Paste his name in the search box at the top of the page to see his earlier photos. Also check out his blog (link in his introduction) to see even more photos.

It is for sure, the middle of fall! The colors here are beautiful and varied. I am so sorry to hear of this ordeal with the pipeline, though. What a battle! Thanks for sharing your beautiful grasses with us!

Always a treat to see your garden, ONG. Autumn perfection. Wish I had time to keep up with every blog. So devastated to hear about your battle to keep your home and garden and yard. Best of luck on the fight and for finding a solution that is a good idea from the start!

John your grasses are stunning and your passion for them is justified. I always enjoy your blog and wish there was some way to help you and other people whose lives and homes are threatened by a "progress" that makes no sense except to those companies' balance sheets.

You've captured fall at its finest! Thank you for sharing your pictures with us in spite of the misery you're encountering. Keep up the good fight! In a way you're fighting for all of us. "Progress" does not have to destroy gardens or people's lives!

John, I love all the rich colors of you beautiful fall garden. I can see why you are trying to glean all the beauty you can this fall. I certainly hope you win the fight. Your garden is so full and rich. I was going to say my favorite but then as I looked to see what number in the line up it was I have to say they are all my favorite. :) Just beautiful. :) Thanks for sharing.

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